Dear Members of the University Community,

Due to an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in our University community, we have made the decision to move to Yellow alert status. While the number cases is still controlled, indicators suggest increased potential for transmission.

We must all continue to remain vigilant and re-commit ourselves to following the public health measures that are in place. This includes wearing face coverings, frequent hand washing, and physical distancing. If cases do not decrease in the coming days, the University may need to move to Orange alert status, suspending in-person classes, and/or putting a temporary halt to campus activities.

However, we are confident that the following measures – beginning on Wednesday, March 3, until further notice – combined with our robust testing program will help mitigate the spread of the virus and prevent us from having to take further action.

• Dining – We know that many recent positive cases are the result of individuals eating meals with multiple social groups both on and off campus. Please refrain from indoor dining at area restaurants as much as possible and avoid dining with multiple individuals outside your family unit. Additional outdoor dining and gathering locations are available on campus today.
• Travel – Off-campus travel or travel outside the greater New Haven community is strongly discouraged. Cases are also linked to visits to off-campus student residences. Students are to refrain from gathering in off-campus locations.
• Guests – Residential students may not sign in as guests any resident students from other University housing or commuter students until further notice.
•  Social Interactions – Commuters should restrict their interactions to their family units, and residential students should limit their time off campus to essential activities only.
• Face Coverings – All members of our University community must wear face coverings at all times, especially off-campus, while riding in cars or Ubers, and dining off campus. According to CDC guidance, this means double-masking, surgical masks, or 3-ply face coverings.

The increase in cases underscores the importance of the University’s comprehensive asymptomatic COVID-19 testing program to help quickly isolate positive cases and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. As a reminder, all students on campus MUST continue testing every 5 to 7 days.

There is still more than half of the spring semester remaining, and all of us are hoping and planning to enjoy some of the traditional events that are held each spring. We will only be able to do so if we manage the current uptick in cases now. We must not let our guard down.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and for being accountable to each other.

Summer McGee, Ph.D., CPH
Dean, School of Health Sciences
University COVID-19 Coordinator

Ronald M. Quagliani, M.S.
Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Administrative Services